Annunciation of Fano

Annunciation of Fano
Artist	Pietro Perugino
Year	c. 1488–1490
Medium	Oil on panel
Dimensions	212 cm × 172 cm (83 in × 68 in)
Location	Church of Santa Maria Nuova, Fano

Annunciation of Fano is a painting by the Italian Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino, executed around 1488–1490, and housed in the church of Santa Maria Nuova, Fano, central Italy.

The work was successful, and a few years later he was commissioned to paint an altarpiece for the same church, the Fano Altarpiece.

Description

The painting is set within a four bay portico, a common element in Perugino's paintings from the 1480s (as, for example, in the Albani-Torlonia Polyptych and the Pietà). Behind it, is a background with hills featuring light trees.

In the foreground is the Annunciation, lit from the left. The angel, holding a white lily (symbol of purity), announces that she will bear Jesus; Mary, who was previously reading a book on a classical altar in front of her, has a surprised face. Behind them, in the upper center, is God in an oval with cherubim and seraphim, sending the Holy Spirit (portrayed as a dove) to her.

Sources

Garibaldi, Vittoria (2004). "Perugino". Pittori del Rinascimento (in Italian). Florence: Scala.

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